How-To Geek

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We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 1 hour 37 min ago

This might be one of Google Maps' most overlooked features

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 18:00

Google Maps has a long list of useful features for everyone, from drivers and cyclists to walkers and public transit users. The navigation app also has some underrated features that often fly under the radar, especially if you don't know what to look for.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new Netflix shows to watch in October

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 17:45

The start of the month on Netflix means the streaming service has unveiled its list of news movies and shows. Ben Affleck's Animals and Chris Evans' Sacrifice are two of the new movies to watch this month. For TV, Florence Pugh headlines a famous literary adaptation, which is now streaming on Netflix. Plus, Josh Hartnett battles a mysterious underwater monster.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the 3 Linux distros I recommend to "tech-illiterate" people after 5 years of using Linux full-time

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 17:30

If you've heard people talking about Linux, they've probably said that it's complicated. The thing is, the right distribution changes that. After five years of actually using Linux in my rotation of operating systems, I keep recommending the same three options to friends and family who barely know what an OS is. Here is why they work.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 hobbies that become almost free once you own this tiny $200 3D printer

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 17:00

3D printing is easier to access than ever, and part of that is because great printers are cheaper than ever. The best part of 3D printing is that it can actually enhance other hobbies in ways you might never expect, so here are three hobbies that 3D printing can make nearly free once you buy the printer itself.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Lenovo Yoga Mini Gen 11 review: A tiny desktop with playable 1080p gaming

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 16:30

It seems that 2026 is the year that PCs shrink, and I'm fully on board with that. The Lenovo Yoga Mini Gen 11 is a system I didn't expect though. With an overall size right around that of an MX Master mouse, and enough power to actually handle some decent gaming, this mini desktop might be my favorite mini PC of the year.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get 40% off Acer's 3-in-1 iPhone Charging Station and never worry about battery life

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 16:13

We use our devices throughout the day, and having a single cable to charge them all is inconvenient and time-consuming. Acer's 3-in-1 wireless charger is the perfect solution because you can top up your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously without fiddling with cables or looking for ports.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 new Paramount+ thrillers to watch this weekend (October 2-4)

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 16:00

October has barely started, and Paramount+ has already stuffed more than 100 new movies into its library for U.S. viewers. With Halloween creeping up, it's good to know that plenty of those titles are thrillers, perfect for those looking to add a little edge to their movie nights.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I tested 10 Claude plugins for web design, here are the 3 that are actually essential

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 15:30

AI is currently a legitimate tool for programming and web design, but it has a huge problem—just like literally every other AI-generated thing out there, it has a tendency to produce slop, and there's no magic fix for it. Thankfully, these 3 plugins make it easier to iterate on your designs, which is really all that matters.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I built a YubiKey clone for $6 using an ESP32, and it actually works

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 15:00

Have you ever wanted to test out hardware authentication for passwordless logins? I know I have, but I'm too cheap to spend $30 on a Yubikey. Instead, I decided to take a $6 ESP32 I already had in a drawer and see if I could replicate the YubiKey experience, and I'm surprised by how easy it was.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These Linux tools increased my command-line productivity: Here’s how

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 14:30

Have you ever felt like you’re not getting the most out of your Linux terminal? Well, you’re not alone. Over the years, I've found several Linux tools that have transformed my workflow and improved my command-line productivity. Let's take a look at my list of Linux power-ups.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 ways my foldable phone has saved me thousands of dollars

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 14:00

Book-style foldable phones give people sticker shock, and understandably so — $2,000 is a lot of money. The thing is, I have never paid that much for any of the foldable phones I’ve owned, and truth be told, they’ve saved me far more than they've cost.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Still buying Milwaukee? 3 signs you invested in the wrong power tool brand

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 13:30

Milwaukee didn't become one of the most popular tool brands by accident—its M12 and M18 lines dominate jobsites and trades everywhere, and for good reason. There's no denying the appeal, but just because they're one of the best doesn't mean they're right for you.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop using grep, these 5 modern replacements do everything better

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 13:00

Nearly every Linux user has used the grep command to search for text with regular expressions, a precise text-searching language. But the grep command is over 50 years old. Here are some modern replacements you might want to consider.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This old Raspberry Pi in my closet does more for my Wi-Fi than any expensive router

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 12:30

Most consumer routers are designed to be user-friendly, often at the expense of more powerful and interesting controls.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I stopped using the Excel filter button to find high and low values. These 2 functions do it better

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 12:00

Excel's filter button is useful, but I've realized I was relying on it for the wrong job. When all I wanted was the highest or lowest number that matched a certain condition, filtering meant hiding rows, sorting data, and then resetting everything afterward. But two functions I recently stumbled across have given me a much cleaner way to get those answers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Rice won't save your wet phone: Here's what actually works

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 11:30

Water may not be as much of a mortal enemy to an Android phone or iPhone as it used to be, but that doesn't mean they're great friends. Wet electronics should be dried as soon as possible, and there's a common household item that people always seem to choose for the job: rice. That's a bad idea.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This 15-year-old eReader would be the ultimate Kindle replacement if it were remade today

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 11:00

We spend a lot of time talking about Kindle alternatives like Kobo, Xteink, and Boox. But there are some forgotten Kindle rivals that rarely make it into the conversation, including Sony, which might be the most unfairly unrecognized eReader pioneer of all time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 ways Windows is trying to sabotage your Linux dual-boot

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 01:00

Dual-booting Windows and Linux can work well, but Windows rarely cooperates. Updates, security features, and default power settings can each disrupt a shared setup. Here are four ways Windows causes trouble for Linux installs, and what you can do about each one.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 ways your dusty old Samsung phone can replace a Raspberry Pi

Sat, 10/03/2026 - 00:00

A Raspberry Pi has long been a popular option for home projects because these single-board computers are highly customizable and have traditionally been relatively low-cost. As the prices of Raspberry Pi models rise, you may be looking for alternative options. You may be surprised to learn that your old Samsung phone may make an excellent Raspberry Pi replacement for some projects.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Can a Ryobi lawn mower actually mow 1/2-acre? I measured and found out

Fri, 10/02/2026 - 23:30

In addition to power tools, Ryobi offers a wide selection of outdoor power equipment. If you've ever considered one of its electric lawn mowers, you're probably wondering whether it can actually mow 1/2 or 3/4th of an acre like Ryobi promises on the box. After briefly testing an 18V and upgrading to a more capable 40V mower, I measured and tested it myself.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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